ENVIRONMENTAL TERRORISM

The longer the talks continue on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagornyy Kara-bakh conflict, the longer this standoff will remain frozen, the more Armenians will cut down and burn valuable species of trees and the more they will contaminate Azerbaijani rivers, turning them into dead zones. The ecological situation in Nagor-nyy Karabakh is critical, and this finding is real despite the fact that the Azerbaijani side has no information on the direct environmental condition of the territories occupied by Armenian separatists.

Therefore, by 6 November - the UN Interna-tional Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, Azerbaijan will once again draw international attention to the problem of damage to the environment during armed conflicts as a country whose territories are occupied and are under constant environmental pressure from the invaders. The result is the degradation of ecosystems and natural resources for a long period, which adversely affects not only one state and the current generation. The decision to hold the UN International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict on 6 November was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 5 November 2001 with reference to the UN Millennium Declaration. It stressed the need to take measures to protect our common environment and preserve it for the welfare of future generations.

Uncontrollable environment

Resolution No 56/4, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 5 November 2001 with reference to Article 4 of the UN Charter, states that all member states shall refrain in their international relations from using force against the territorial integrity of any state, and therefore, its natural resources. Today the ecological balance in Nagornyy Karabakh can be described as worse than ever. "As an illegal entity, the 'Nagornyy Karabakh Republic' is not responsible to international organizations for the preservation of the ecological situation in the occupied territories, which is getting worse over time," the Azerbaijani Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources told R+. The relevant entities are confident that the aggressors must compensate for the many years of damage to Azerbaijan's environment in order to improve the ecology of the region after its liberation.

The environmental situation in territories beyond Azerbaijan's control is compounded by the fact that since June 2006, the Armenians have deliberately organized arson attacks there, destroying forests, including in protected areas. They set fire to occupied villages in Agdam, Fizuli, Cabrayil, Tartar and Xocavand districts. The arson committed by Armenians spread to the territory controlled by Azerbaijan. As a result of a 20-day fire in 2006 alone, a total of 132.2 square kilometres of territory were burned.

Oriental plane trees and valuable species of walnut trees growing in Topmesa in Zangilan District were subjected to mass extermination. They also destroyed the world's second and Europe's first forest of eastern plane trees (sycamore). At present, the trees suitable for construction and furniture production are cut down, transported to Armenia and sold to other countries. During the period of occupation, the Armenians repeatedly committed arson in forests in Bartaz, Vecnali, Dasbasi and Laskar. The 40-50-year-old walnut trees surrounding these forests with a total area of 55 hectares have been cut down. In the Top and Sukurataz forests, 350-400-year-old oak trees have been destroyed. Drugs are being cultivated in the occupied lands. The damage caused by fires in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan in 2007 is estimated at more than 15 million manats ($18.2 million at current rates), and in 2006 at 159 million manats ($193 million).

The government of Azerbaijan has repeatedly drawn international attention to the disastrous environmental situation in Nagornyy Karabakh and the occupied lands. The result was the adoption on 7 September 2006 at the 60th session of the UN General Assembly of a sixth resolution (No 60/285) since the beginning of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. In its resolution on the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan "in connection with the increasing number of fires and, consequently, huge damage to the ecology of the region", the General Assembly, deeply concerned at this situation, stressed the need to urgently conduct an environmental operation to extinguish fires and to overcome their detrimental consequences. As far as possible, measures were taken to combat the fire. Issues related to arson were raised by the Azerbaijani delegation at PACE sessions. In order to assess short and long-term effects of intentional arson attacks and the dangerous ecological situation, an assessment mission and a commission composed of international experts were established at the OSCE.

Unfortunately, the Armenian side did not implement the decision on joint activities taken after the completion of the mission. Arson attacks in the occupied territories continued, and occurred in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The latest fires were recorded on 20 July 2009. "The fire perpetrated by the armed forces of Armenia on the evening of 20 July in the occupied mountains in Agdam and Agdara districts spread at a great speed. The fire could be seen from the heights not only in Agdam, Agcabadi, Barda, and Tartar, but also from more distant areas," says the Azerbaijani Ministry of Ecology.

Today the staff of the Ministry of Ecology and the department of economic and social geography at Baku State University have registry data produced in Soviet times on the forests and wealth available in these territories. And it is very hard to read them - you begin to understand that much of what is mentioned in these documents may have been destroyed.

Pollution of rivers

"It is known that the natural elements of a territory interact with each other, and changes taking place in one of its elements affect others. Currently, land in the occupied territories of Kalbacar, Lacin, Qubadli, Zangilan, Cabrayil, Fizuli and Agdam districts surrounding Nagornyy Karabakh is not being cultivated - it is out of human control, which has already caused a large environmental disaster," stressed the Ministry of Ecology. Thus, apart from arson attacks, the separatists' actions have resulted in many large-scale environmental problems.

Almost all rivers originating in Armenia enter the Kura and Araz on the territory of Azerbaijan and then flow into the Caspian Sea. For many years, the Oxcucay, Zangi, Araz, Agstafa and other rivers flowing in Armenia have contaminated the rivers of Azerbaijan. As a result, the Armenian-occupied Zangilan region of Azerbaijan is a zone subjected to large-scale environmental terrorism. According to the Ministry of Ecology, Armenia regularly discharges contaminated water into the rivers of the district - 2,100 cubic metres per day. The contaminated water is discharged into the Araz River through its left branch Oxcucay. Chemically contaminated water from Gacharan copper and molybdenum and Kafan ore-processing plants located on the territory of Armenia is discharged into the left branch of the Araz River without treatment. As a result, the river basin has turned into a dead zone. The micro-flora and fauna of the river have been completely destroyed.

There is evidence that spent radioactive waste from the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is being disposed of in the occupied districts of Azerbaijan. Minefields and a lot of shell casings left over from the war and heavy military vehicles travelling in mountainous areas caused great damage to plant and soil cover. It is clear that there can be no talk of protecting nature on uncontrolled lands: mountain forests are being cut down rapidly, the wood is being transported to neighbouring countries and rare plants and animals are being destroyed. The idling of drainage channels originating in the occupied territories deals a severe blow to agriculture in the lowland areas of Azerbaijan. It becomes clear that along with the people, the whole nature of Azerbaijan carries the burden of occupation, sustaining irreparable damage. Armenians, knowing that the situation in the occupied lands is temporary, are plundering deposits of minerals and natural resources there. They misappropriate large amounts of easily mined mineral water, various technical materials and more. In the reserves under Armenian occupation, the mode of protection has been completely disrupted, says the first report of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources on the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

The Besitcay state reserve

The Besitcay State Reserve was established in Zangilan District by the decision of the government of the Azerbaijan SSR on 4 July 1974. It is located in the southwest of Azerbaijan in the Besitcay depression. The reserve was created to preserve the landscape complex of the area, especially the rare natural sycamore forests whose area was 107 hectares, of which 79.4 per cent were covered with forests and 14 per cent - with rare groves. Climatic conditions in the area are very favourable for natural regeneration and development of sycamore groves. There are mixed breeds of sycamore here. The average age of sycamore trees in the reserve reaches 165 years, the average height 35 m and the average diameter 1 m. There are samples of these trees that are 1,200-1,500 years old with a height of 50 and a diameter of 4 m. Before the occupation, the forest reserve in each hectare in the reserve was 190 cu. m, the total area - 16,200 cu. m, the annual increase in one hectare - 1.22 cu. m. Azerbaijanis have always valued the plane tree, considering it a regal tree and a symbol of vegetation. Plane trees are the adornment of Azerbaijani nature and its pride. But it is not the only decoration for the Besitcay reserve. Walnut, hackberry, willow, poplar, hawthorn, wild rose, buckthorn and other shrubby species of trees also grow here.

However, since 1993, all these treasures have been destroyed by Armenia, while the forests have been ruthlessly exploited and cut down for furniture production. During an investigation conducted by the Ministry of Ecology in 2006 and according to a report received from the Armenian village of Sav, it became clear that in the village of Razdar, where the reserve is located, the Armenians have opened a furniture shop, chopping down all the trees around - plane trees, oaks and walnut trees. Then, in order to hide the traces of their actions, they detonate explosives at the roots of trees and burn them, and then they plant crops there. According to information received by the Zangilan forestry administration from different sources, all valuable trees in the Topmesa forests have been destroyed.

Qaragol State Reserve

The Qaragol State Reserve was established on 17 November 1987 by the decision of the Council of Ministers of Azerbaijan as an interrepublican state reserve Qaragol (Sevinc). It is located on the border of Lacin and Gorus districts at an altitude of 2,658 metres above sea level. The total area of the reserve is 240 hectares. It also includes the water area of the Lake Qaragol and a site at a length of 100 m located along the shores of the lake with an area of 64 hectares. The Lake Isiqli Qaragol is located at an altitude of 2,658 metres above sea level in the southern part of the volcanic Karabakh mountain range. This lake is a relict source of water, reminiscent of an extinct volcanic crater. In the reserve there are 102 plant species and subspecies, and they are composed of 68 species and 27 families. The lake water has always been very clean and transparent due to the lack of inflow of water, and people have revered it as a holy place of worship.

The construction of livestock farms and powerful pumping stations on the Armenian shore of the lake in 1964 and the use of water for irrigation in Armenia's Goris District led to its contamination and reduced the water level. Currently, the separatists are making uncontrolled use of water from this natural monument.

Lacin State Reserve

The Lacin State Reserve was established in Lacin District in 1961 in order to preserve and multiply animals and birds available here. The protected zone is inhabited by such species as deer, mountain goat, prairie pig, bear, etc. As for birds, francolins, partridges, etc. are available here. The area of the reserve is 21.4 hectares, accounting for 0.25 per cent of Azerbaijani territory and 8.8 per cent of all environmental areas in the country. The forests consist mainly of hornbeam, linden, birch, and mixed breeds. Part of the reserve belongs to the territory of Nagornyy Karabakh. The Armenians, taking advantage of the lack of control, are destroying rare species of animals and birds. In the Hacisamlin forest on the territory of the preserve, there is the world's most valuable red oak (golden oak). In order to make industrial use of these trees, the French, in Tsarist times, built a road from Xankandi to this grove through Mount Qirxqiz. But the arrival of the Soviet authorities prevented the export of timber to France. 

Subsequently, red oak wood became very popular in the Soviet Union. Before Armenian occupation, a red oak processing plant operated in the village of Hacisamli. The enterprise was so important that the village was called a factory rather than Hacisamli. The red oak is used to make expensive furniture, containers for storage of cognac alcohol and much more. This type of tree in Azerbaijan is common only in this reserve.

According to the Ministry of Ecology, these trees are being ruthlessly cut down by the separatists today. The red oak cut down in the woods of Picenis and Hacisamli in occupied Lacin District is exported to France through Armenia for the production of packaging for cognac. In addition, walnut trees from the forest are sold to Iran and European countries in large numbers for the manufacture of furniture. A large forest of 65 hectares, located in the villages of Hacilar and Sadinlar, has been completely destroyed. In general, the forest fund of Lacin District had 33,285 hectares, and of this area 26,647 hectares (80.05 per cent) are covered with trees. In its reports, the Ecology Ministry quotes one of the workers of the forestry administration of Lacin District who had spent five months in Armenian captivity. The Armenians forced him and other captives to cut down forests in Agdara, and the wood was sold to Iran. The Armenians used the remains as fuel. The Armenians also ruthlessly exploit other rich natural resources of Lacin, including medicinal waters.

Qubadli reserve

The Qubadli state reserve was established in June 1969 at the Besitcay state reserve in Qubadli and Lacin districts. The reserve covers the northern part of Qubadli District and the southern part of Lacin and consists of mountain-brown areas. The purpose of this reserve was to preserve wildlife, in particular, deer, steppe pigs, partridges and other animals and birds living here.

The area of the Qubadli reserve was 20,000 ha, accounting for 8.2 per cent of the total area of protected areas in Azerbaijan. There was red oak and hornbeam here. At the same time, juniper, hawthorn, wild rose and blackberry are quite common. Environmental factors in the area created necessary conditions for the normal life of birds and animals.

Prior to occupation, the reserve had 101 steppes pigs, 21 brown bears, 35 roe deer, 420 hares, 25 wolves, 310 jackals and 75 badgers. Of birds, the most common was the partridge (560). Pheasants, francolins, quails and doves are permanent inhabitants of these places. For many years, this reserve area has been under occupation. According to an Armenian citizen who fled to Russia's Tatarstan Republic in 1998 because of difficult living conditions, after the occupation he repeatedly visited Qubadli and Lacin districts and carried heavy loads. He also confirmed that the Armenians are burning homes and using wood as fuel and building material here.

The reserve along the Araz - Arazboyu

It was founded in June 1993 at the Besitcay State Reserve on the border with Iran on the bank of the Araz River in Zangilan District. It has an area of 5,000 hectares. The main purpose of the reserve is to preserve the flora and fauna existing here. The trees growing here are prone to large consumption of water. Available land and climatic conditions create the right conditions for the growth and development of plants. Prior to occupation, a numerical evaluation of animals found here was carried out: steppe pigs - 300, bears - 7, foxes - 350, deer - 12, and birds constantly living here are francolins, pheasants, partridges, quails and ducks.

According to a Ministry of Ecology investigation, Armenians often commit arson on the territory of the state-protected area. For example, during his visit to Baku in November 2001, a specialist of the Tabriz environmental protection office said at an environmental meeting that the fires which lasted two months in Arazboyu destroyed all sites of vegetation within sight. If we look at the occupied territories of Azerbaijan from Iran, one can clearly see that the stations of Maralyan, Marcanli, Mehdili, Caxirli and Mahmudlu were completely destroyed, houses were knocked down and burned, and the most valuable nut trees in this area were destroyed as well. The Iranian population says that almost every month, the Armenians set fire to trees near the Araz River.

Dasalti reserve

It was established in 1988 to protect rare natural complexes in Susa and Asgaran and covers 450 hectares of land. The reserve which has been under occupation since 1992 has now been completely destroyed. According to the Ministry of Ecology, in Susa from Cidir plain to the market in front of the Agzi Yasti area and as far as the Topxana forest reserve, the Armenians have cleared the highest point of the forest and have built installations. This fact, which is contrary to international law on specially protected natural territories, is confirmed by videos that are stored in the archives of the Ministry of Ecology.

Historical monuments threatened

Armenian occupation has caused irreparable damage not only to the natural environment of the Azerbaijani districts. As a result of acts of vandalism, the Azix, Taglar and Qarakapaktapa caves and other historical monuments have been rendered useless. It must be noted that the Azix and Taglar caves are included on the UNESCO list as ancient historical monuments of the world. The samples of material culture discovered here in the Azix cave were demonstrated at the international exhibition "The First Inhabitants of Europe" on 8 December 1981 at the Paris Museum of Man (France). Today, the separatists are trying to present these caves to the world community as monuments of "Old Armenian culture". They use foreign experts to falsify historical facts, and this should serve as a wake-up call for UNESCO and other international organizations.